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In Russia, several banks have been designated as systemically important, meaning their failure could have significant consequences for the country's financial system. Sberbank is one of them, holding a significant market share and providing a wide range of financial services.
Sberbank's importance is evident in its large customer base and widespread presence across Russia. It has a significant presence in the country's financial system.
The Central Bank of Russia has identified several banks as systemically important, including VTB Bank, Gazprombank, and Rosselkhozbank. These banks have a significant impact on the country's economy.
VTB Bank, for example, is one of the largest banks in Russia, with a significant presence in the country's financial system.
List of Banks in Russia
As of the beginning of 2019, there are 484 credit institutions in Russia. This is a significant decrease from the 1,094 banks that existed six years ago in 2013.
The reduction in the number of banks is largely due to the policy of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, which has revoked about 400 bank licenses over the past 5 years.
Here is a list of some of the banks that have had their licenses revoked:
- 2014: approximately 7 banks per month had their licenses revoked, compared to 4-5 banks per month in 2013.
- 2016: 97 banks lost their licenses.
- 2018: 60 banks lost their licenses, with a total asset value of 562 billion rubles (0.65% of the total assets of the banking sector).
Note: The numbers are based on the data from the "Monitoring of the economic situation in Russia", released in February 2019 by the RANEPA.
Fewer Than 500 Operating in Russia
There are now fewer than 500 operating banks in Russia, a significant reduction from the 1,094 banks in the country six years ago.
The Central Bank of the Russian Federation has revoked about 400 bank licenses over the past 5 years, contributing to this decline.
In 2018, the regulator revoked licenses from 60 banks, with the total assets of these banks amounting to 562 billion rubles, or 0.65% of the total assets of the banking sector.
The reduction in the number of banks is also attributed to the policy of the Central Bank imposed on anti-Russian sanctions in 2014, which led to an average of 7 licenses being revoked per month.
In 2019, there were 484 credit institutions in Russia, down from 542 the previous year.
This decline is a stark contrast to the 542 banks operating in the country just the year before.
Central Approves Systemically Important List
The Central Bank of the Russian Federation has a list of systemically important banks that it closely monitors. This list includes banks that are deemed crucial to the country's financial stability.
In 2023, the number of banks operating in Russia with the participation of non-residents decreased to 96 from 108 credit institutions in 2022. The Central Bank of the Russian Federation announced this in a report published at the end of March 2024.
The Central Bank also reported that in 2023, non-residents' investments in the authorized capital of existing credit institutions decreased by 9% and amounted to about 335.5 billion rubles. This is a significant decrease from the previous year.
The share of foreign capital in the total authorized capital of existing credit institutions as of January 1, 2024, amounted to 7%, which is 2 percentage points less than a year earlier. This indicates a decrease in foreign investment in Russian banks.
Some banks are under the control of non-residents, but the Russian government has strict regulations in place to ensure their control. In 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved transactions on seven banks, including the merger of Ozone Bank and Ekom Bank, and the replacement of owners at Money Mail Ru, Icano-Bank, Mercedes-Benz Bank Rus, Jay & T Bank, and Intesa.
Here is a list of banks whose bankruptcy was prevented in 2022:
- Bank of Non-Core Assets (BNA) Trust
- Promsvyazbank
- MINnBank
The Central Bank of the Russian Federation took measures to prevent the bankruptcy of these banks, including providing them with loans and increasing fees on distressed assets.
Banking Industry Trends
The banking industry in Russia is rapidly evolving, with a focus on digital transformation. Key trends include enhanced cybersecurity, streamlined online platforms, and tailored solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Digital transformation is a major area of focus, with 96 banks operating in Russia with non-resident participation as of 2023. This number has decreased from 108 in 2022.
The Central Bank of Russia has reported that the total authorized capital of banks in Russia increased by 12% in 2023, reaching 3.41 trillion rubles. Non-residents' investments in the authorized capital of existing credit institutions decreased by 9% in 2023, amounting to about 335.5 billion rubles.
The share of foreign capital in the total authorized capital of existing credit institutions as of January 1, 2024, was 7%, a 2 percentage point decrease from the previous year.
Current State of Banking in Russia
As of the beginning of 2019, there were 484 credit institutions in Russia, a significant decrease from 542 the previous year and 1,094 six years prior.
The Central Bank of the Russian Federation has been actively revoking bank licenses, with over 400 licenses revoked in the past 5 years.
In 2014, the Central Bank revoked an average of 7 bank licenses per month due to anti-Russian sanctions, a significant increase from the 4-5 licenses revoked per month the year before.
By 2018, the number of bank licenses revoked had increased to 60, with the total assets of these banks amounting to 562 billion rubles, or 0.65% of the total assets of the banking sector.
The number of banks with non-resident participation in the total authorized capital decreased to 96 in 2023, down from 108 in 2022.
Non-resident investments in the authorized capital of existing credit institutions decreased by 9% in 2023, amounting to about 335.5 billion rubles.
As of January 1, 2024, the share of foreign capital in the total authorized capital of existing credit institutions was 7%, a 2 percentage point decrease from the previous year.
In 2023, there were 57 Russian banks under the control of non-residents, a 12% decrease from the previous year.
The Central Bank reported that in 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved transactions on seven banks, including the merger of Ozone Bank and Ekom Bank.
Digital Transformation
The digital transformation of Russian banks is a key trend in the banking industry. It's all about making banking services more efficient and accessible through technology.
Digital transformation is happening rapidly in Russia, with 95% of budgets dedicated to geotargeting campaigns. This is no surprise, given the importance of reaching the right audience.
Russian banks are also focusing on digital transformation as a way to improve their online platforms. This includes enhanced cybersecurity, which is a top priority in today's digital age.
Interestingly, the digital transformation of Russian banks is not just about technology - it's also about tailored solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This is a significant benefit, as it allows SMEs to access financial services that meet their unique needs.
Here are some key banking informatization trends in Russia:
- Digital transformation of Russian banks
- Import substitution of information technologies in banks
- Banking informatization trends
These trends are driving innovation in the banking industry, and offering significant benefits to businesses and individuals alike.
Russia's Population Decline Over 10 Years
Russia's population decline over the past decade is not the only concerning trend in the country. The number of banks in Russia has decreased by 3 times in 10 years.
By November 2022, there were 327 banks in Russia, which is almost three times less than ten years earlier - in 2012 there were 922 credit organizations in the country. This is a significant drop.
General economic problems are one of the main reasons for the decline in the number of banks. Falling income levels and low solvency of the population, their sharp decline, distrust of the country's financial sector, inflated needs of financiers all determine economic instability.
The digitalization of the economy and society is also at the heart of the reduction in the number of banks. People are used to making transfers, opening deposits over the Internet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an American open a bank account in Russia?
Yes, Americans can open a bank account in Russia, with a relatively straightforward process available for non-residents
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